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Monday, May 7, 2012

I SURRENDER!

When we moved into this house, I had a vision.  I was going to use soft, subtle colors, and my décor was going to be a little sophisticated.  (It’s okay. You can laugh.)sofa endThose built-in shelves were painted cream, and I envisioned books and an accessory or two on each shelf.  Yes, those shelves are in my home.  This is not a retail setting.  The day I put that red print fabric behind the shelves, everything started sliding downhill (I know it’s hard to see the fabric for all the clutter, but it is right there.. on those shelves-- the ones that look like they belong in a store). See that sofa with the solid, cream colored upholstery? I just HAD to add some red pillows to it, and those lamps obviously didn’t come with red shades on them.  I’m not sure how those red shades got there.  I’m sure they were a bargain (bargains are easy to find when you buy what nobody else wants to buy).

other sofa

In the same room, I have this other very softly colored sofa (It’s obviously also a very softly cushioned sofa.  Two of my grands just left here, and I didn’t realize how rumpled my sofa looked until I saw this photo on here. I don’t know why those pillows look like they are trimmed in orange, but that is really a rusty red color. What made me add those pillows to my rumpled subtle sofa?

dng chair

Who said I needed to replace the formerly subdued fabric on these chair seats with red toile?

snrm

There are red plaid curtains in this room; red toile valances in the adjoining sunroom; and I currently even have a red tablecloth on the sunroom table.  How did all this red get here?  Nothing subtle about this.

061

My plan for the sunroom was soft blues and yellows. Okay, there is a blue flower on these predominantly red cushions I added to the sunroom chairs.

frplc

Don’t you think my fireplace mantel is subtle; maybe even almost sophisticated?  How did a predominantly red tapestry get on the wall over that fireplace?  (Actually, I did not hang that there…okay, I admit I persuaded my sweetheart to hang it there.)

I’m no longer in denial.  Bright color and clutter make me happy.  Before I added all the red and all the clutter, I felt like nobody lived here.  I officially surrender to clutter and bright color! Even though I love subtle décor, and even though I’d love to live in a sophisticated home, I’m just a bright (I’m talking color not brains) and cluttered kind of gal.

I’m so glad to have you visit me, in spite of my cluttered and not-so-subtle decor.  laurie

33 comments:

Rakesh Seo Expert said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sarah said...

Laurie, I'd love to have a room with those book shelves. I'd fill them up too! I love the red accents! I look around our home and see that red has slipped into almost every room. OK, perhaps it is in every room.
I think your home looks warm and inviting and full of interest. I'd love to visit! ~ sarah

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I don't know Laurie but whatever your doing it's working for me!
Golly I think you have the most amazing decorating around!
You rock girlfriend and so does your beautiful home!
Big Hugs to you,
Cindy

Debbie said...

I'm trying so hard to eliminate colors that I do not like in my house so that I can add punches of colors against a neutral background. You have already done that! Clearly, red makes you happy so that's what popped up everywhere. I love it, and I think that every picture says, "Laurie"

Tricia said...

Laurie, I love all your red touches! Your home looks wonderful inviting and interesting to explore!

April D said...

I think it's WONDERFUL.
Just one question, and I'm seriously looking for solace here: how often do you DUST?
It's the dusting that makes me *want* to go sophisticated and minimalist. lol.
I just love all the RED items you've had sneak in to your home!
hugs,
~april

Carol said...

Your decorating style is totally wonderful! It's you, Laurie! Don't every change doing what you love & enjoy.

Smiles,
Carol

Wild Oak Designs said...

I love the fabric in the back of the bookcases...heck I love the bookcases...with all your collections...that is class and sophistication....Nothing wrong with red at all...it works!
Nancy
http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

Salmagundi said...

I love your style! Don't quit adding red and clutter. Sally

Priscilla said...

I'm becoming weary of seeing rooms devoid of all color. White, white, white. I'm afraid my eyes long for COLOR!
I would love to have more space here for more pretties. Count your self lucky you can enjoy all your treasures all the time!

Anonymous said...

Well you know there is no more favorite home for me than yours!!! It is perfect..full of personality, beauty and fun! Just like you!!!
xoxo Cindy Jorgensen.. Can't remember my password right now.. oy.. getting old!

Tammy's in Love said...

Oh Laurie! You made me laugh out loud! Those lamp shades...my daughter once said to me, "Mom, there's a reason some things are on clearance." I love red, it's my favorite color and I love your home, so cheery! Subtle colors in a home are like people who drive a white car; they have no personality. Sorry to you if you drive a white car, mine is...red!

Tammy

Sonny G said...

I agree with some of your other comments. RED seems to make you happy so please keep it.
I think the magazine and sales sites have heavily influenced to make every thing Neutral and about the time everyone goes that route they'll change all their merchandise and convince us Color is the IN THING. so keep yours and pretty soon the magazines will be copying YOU and we;ll all be scurrying around adding color back to our homes:) as I see it- you represent the trend setter at this time... see what I mean.
love and hugs
Sonny

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sweet wors on my blog:)

I hope you come back and visit me soon again. I have more swedish inspiration for you:)

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

I love it all Laurie! I love stuff too! And RED!! I tried to declutter one time and I just hated it! lol It wasn't me....so I added it all back! And more!

Love where you live! That's my motto!

Lou Cinda :)

Jan said...

I think your rooms are beautiful! I love your built-in bookshelves filled with all the things you like and love best. What good are they if you want to make them into a photo shoot for a magazine? What fun is that? B-O-R-I-N-G! Your bookcases are eye candy. I don't understand people who have tons of shelf space and then insist on sticking a few cold and lonely looking vases and pictures on them - and no books ANYWHERE! That's just a waste of good shelf space! Your personal spaces should make you happy, and that doesn't necessarily mean looking like something out of House Beautiful. Who lives like that - really - anyway? I'll bet not most of us!

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"Warm, VERY COMFY, and Inviting", that's what I interpret when I look at your photos! I LOVE your "COMFY COUCH"! I bet it's the most used!
Your bookcases are wonderful and I (((LOVE))) all the red...
Have a fun week,
Hugs,
Donna

Palomasea said...

Dear Laurie, I love the touches of red...it is the color of life!
Keep doing what you're doing...I think your home is so beautiful and welcoming, but the most important thing is that YOU love to spend time in your home...
Blessings,
- Irina

Sue said...

Laurie, red is a happy color and it truly is a delight to see a room like this that is comfy,used and loved. Decorate with things that make you happy, is my mantra. And I like all that "stuff" on your bookcase shelves!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Good morning my dear friend..Girl I have always loved your home from our RMS days..I have to have color in my life..I love looking at all the white spaces on blogs..But I feel like everyone is the same..
You have so many beautiful things girl and your decorate is Impeccable..Hope you have a GREAT Mother's day with the Boss man and your family..Hugs and smiles to you..Gl♥ria

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Laurie, you know I "love" the bookshelves, have from day one when I first saw them on RMS. Your style is so unique, warm and cozy. I can see many an hour on your lovely sofa's visiting with you.. hugs ~lynne~

Anonymous said...

Too much, I agree, however your tastes are stunning. I just feel you are trying to do it all in one ROOM. Edit and it will be fab

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Laurie, I am so drawn to red too! It is warm and soft and attention getting! I love all your special pieces and red!

Perfectly Printed said...

Love the red!!! What a lovely home.
chris

xinex said...

I love this room, Laurie, it's very homey! There are so items I'd love to have myself, like the French sofa, the tapestry, the pillows, the needlepoint chair and all those stuff you displayed....Christine

Susan Freeman said...

Your lovely home reflects your warm and sunny personality. It looks comfy, cozy and I can tell that lots of happy memories are being created in your rooms. Sophisticated rooms are lovely, but they can also be cold and austere. Be true to yourself.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Oh Laurie, I too, love your bookshelves, and I don't mind your clutter at all, I really like it, it gives you things to look at and remember all the time. Seems like I use a lot of red in my house so at times I try to calm it down with softer colors, then the red starts creeping back around November through February. Thanks, I loved seeing your rooms.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh, Laurie! I love your color and layering! (It's not clutter!) I am in the same boat! Sorry...I will never be a minimalist! I love my stuff! lol Have a great week!...hugs...Debbie

Bernadine said...

Just found your blog. I love your style. Your home looks warm, cozy and a feast for the eyes. I like the red. To me, it's better than the bland, stark alternative! Have a great week.

Unknown said...

Oh Laurie,
I love how you write about your life. You are so down to earth. I love the reds and I once read every room, no matter the color, should have a touch of red somewhere. Unless of course you are doing red..then a touch of black is it's opposite..I love your rooms.
~Shirley

Genie Dsouza said...

Hi Laurie, you have decorated your room with a great look. Your room has nice collections of books, woods.Really its making so lovely room. I want to explore similar collection in my sunroom also.Now i am going to change color and design of my sunroom also. It is all cause of your room's pics.

Ivy and Elephants said...

Hi Laurie,
Thank you so much for letting me know I am not alone in the world! LOL I too dream of that white, bright, and sophisticated home with the sparse furnishings, but I think I love my treasures too much to be that person, they do make me oh so happy!
Your home is heaven!
Hugs,
Patti

The Tablescaper said...

Your home is beautiful. You have made it your home by filling it with things that make you happy. It is lovely.

- The Tablescaper